Best Tent Camping near Kapa‘a, HI

This campground features both male / female bathrooms and has two outdoor showers available. The showers are "cold", which in Hawaii, means room temperature, so after the initial shock, it actually becomes quite comfortable. I do not recall if there were picnic tables, but at the most maybe one or two. It does require a permit, but those are easy and cheap (~$3). I elected to post up under the tree section, which provided a good cover, flat ground and actually had a downed tree that I used to set up backpacking stove for coffee in the morning. There were a few small fires on the beach throughout the stay, but I don't believe it is technically legal to do so. Overall, my favorite place to stay in Kauai with the given options due to the recent storms and North Shore closures.

As others have said, the hike in and out of the canyon is not easy.  But the reward is being totally isolated and quiet down in the canyon.  So gorgeous!

The main thing that we learned the hard way is that the river that is near the campground can become impassable after a rainstorm.  We left our camp to go for a day hike further into the canyon, and crossed the river with no issue.  There was a downpour while we were on the other side of the river, and weren't able to cross back to get to our camp.  We had to spend the night on the other side where thankfully there was another shelter.  Luckily we had some food and our water filter and hammocks, and someone left a brand new sleeping bag that we used to keep warm.  We were able to cross back over the next morning.

Also, our car got broken into where we left it parked on the road.  Dont leave anything valuable in the car!

Despite being stranded and getting our car broken into, we also got engaged in the canyon...so this was definitely my most memorable backpacking trip.

Campground Review: Anahola Beach

I stayed at Anahola Beach for my last night while in Kauai and I wish I could have stayed longer camping. First thing, this campground is part of a public beach which requires a permit for camping. The permits are really easy to get and are pretty cheap. Just go to the camping office for parks in Lihue and you can get it either in advance or day of. I do believe all camping on public land requires a permit. Anyway, the beach is great and has open camping. There are spots completely open as well as a section under trees. So pick a flat spot and you are good to go! Access to the beach is easy and relatively convenient (you are a 5-10 minute drive to a small store in case you forgot food or other basics) and does have some unpaved road but any car can handle it. The beach also has basic facilities (garbage bins, picnic tables, flushing toilets, rinse showers, water access) which make this an easy and convenient place to stay especially if you had to fly with your camping equipment.

My time at the campsite was great. People were very friendly and you are directly on the beach so sunrises and sunsets are beautiful. The only negatives I experienced were the sand flies/mite at dusk and dawn when we were out on the sand. They bit up our feet and ankles similar to mosquitoes. The good thing was they were completely gone when the sun was completely up or down but bug spray may have been helpful. The only other thing was one rooster was very noisy at sunrise. Kauai has a lot of wild chickens and they can be pretty loud and one really wanted to make his presence known. But that is what makes Kauai so special. Overall, it was a great end to a vacation and it was my first time really camping on the beach.

Gear Review: Ledlenser MH10 Headlamp

As a Dyrt Ranger, I get the opportunity to test out gear from our partners once in a while. I had the opportunity to test out the Ledlenser MH10 headlamp. I was able to use this headlamp on some night hikes in Oregon as well as travel with it to Hawaii. I have found that Ledlenser headlamps tend to fill very specific needs. This lamp is pretty big and heavy for a headlamp but it works really well for night hikes where you have a base camp or fixed destination in mind. This is not a backpacking lamp but rather a camping for multiple days or I am hiking and don't care about weight or size constraints.

Pros of the MH10: 1) It is quite bright and has three brightness settings. When I hiked I only used the low and medium settings so I wouldn't blind my husband. 2) It can zoom and go up and down which is pretty standard for all flashlights and headlamps now but the range is quite large for the MH10. 3) It comes with accessories! It came with a travel pouch that can thread onto your belt and fits everything (after some practice finding the best orientation) and it comes with two colored lens filters--red and green. This helps preserve your night vision. I used the green lens one way on an out and back hike and it was really neat to see the night with that perspective. We saw a deer and owl and they didn't seem scared of us or the colored light. It was less impactful on them. 4) It is rechargable. Just remember to charge it before you go on your adventures (or bring a cord and charging pack).

Cons of the MH10: 1) It is quite large and heavy for a headlamp. The strap is comfortable and can fit a variety of head sizes but it is big.

Overall, this is a great product as long as you have realistic expectations about what it can be used for (as with any and all outdoor equipment). I am looking forward to using it more when I can go on longer camping trips this spring and summer as well as more night hiking.

I doubt I will ever love a campground as much as I loved staying at Anini Beach. absolutely breathtaking. the reef goes on for miles. the waves are safe for little ones, and we saw countless fish, turtles and whales in the distance. There are a few locals who caused disturbance, but it’s monitored by rangers regularly so I never felt unsafe, unlike at Salt Pond. at $3/night, ON THE BEACH Hawaii camping where the waves are not going to sweep you away.... it’s PERFECT! tree cover for shade, view of the lighthouse, chickens everywhere eating all the bugs. Outdoor showers with privacy walls and bathrooms with running water and toilets. There is an outdoor sink to wash dishes and clothing. I cried when we had to leave.

Polihale is everything you think of from a Hawaiian beach - without the crowds. there are many sites - some with and some without picnic tables and each with a short walk to a beach and bathroom. the bathrooms are cleaned and filled with toilet paper often and the views here are just breathtaking. It’s a 20 min drive from the town of Waimea (my favorite little town) where we got all things necessary and we felt safe leaving our stuff at the site. most of the locals come to surf all weekend and camp in order to hit the best waves. tourists are generally scared away by the rental car companies but a 4WD car will get you there no problem. the biggest problem this site has is the kiawe trees. these trees are great tinder - although fires are not technically allowed in the sites - most people lit them on the beach. these trees are brittle and the branches fall easily - not a huge deal until you step on one and realize these branches are thorns which will make it through your slippers no problem. watch your steps and clear your site well of all debris because it is more than likely that those thorns will rip up a sleeping pad or tent liner with ease. My favorite place to camp on Kauai. there are feral cats and lots of beautiful birds to look at if for some reason you get tired of the ocean waves and scenic cliffs to the north. on a really clear day you can see ni’ihau the forbidden island. the sand gets realllllly hot so be careful. I spent my day looking for tiny shells of organisms only native to this side of Kauai and Niihau and the shells make beautiful jewelry which you may find at the craft fairs in Waimea.

We camped here off and on for a couple weeks.  We absolutely LOVED that we could camp as close to the ocean as we were able to, especially on such a beautiful bay.  This was also a wonderful bay to swim in.  Most of the cleared tent spaces also have a large picnic table nearby to use.  We were advised to pull our tent back for 1 night when the ocean levels were supposed to be extra high.  If you're friendly with the locals (who are friendly and pretty much live in the park) they may help you out with info and advice. The roosters were louder and started earlier here that any other place we stayed.  We loved them but others may find this annoying.  Showers were outdoors and semi-private.  We recommend having someone guard the entrance if you're at all worried about it.  We camped here at the end of December / beginning of January when the weather is extremely unpredictable.  It was QUITE an adventure to say the least - but we LOVE a Great adventure! Make sure your tent is VERY wind & water proof.  And know that if you do want the view right from your tent, you will have to carry your gear for a couple minutes since you can't drive right up to where you'll set up your tent.  

Make sure you get your camping permit well ahead of your trip!!!

The arduous hike in and impending brutal hike out make this campground a haven for those willing the make the trek. There’s a compositing toilet and a shelter with a picnic table in case it rains. Lots of trash from irresponsible hunters/campers near the shelter but the camping pads close to the river are beautiful. TONS of bugs that you can’t really feel biting you so bring really good (and environmentally friendly) bug spray. We took baths with bio soap in the river which flows strongly enough for fresh water (steripen that!) to drink but has small pools to sit in to cool off from the hike and wash up for camping. Lots of roosters and quail, hunters seeks wild pigs down I. The canyon. ATVs come through on occasion but this is a very private campground. Good tree coverage as it rains nearly every day in the canyon. Hikes around the area lead to various waterfalls and natural water slides. Don’t leave valuables in your car (we left our car unlocked to avoid broken windows - 8 piles of shattered window glass on the side of the road when we arrived at the trailhead (pull off on the side of the road to park and go there, no true parking lot).